🏈🏈🏈🏈
Jacksonville at NY Jets – For the second weekend in a row, the Jaguars are involved in a game between two of the worst teams in the league, and especially in the AFC. Like the game against the Texans, this one just might be for the first overall pick in the draft. If the Jaguars lose this one, most likely they will have “earned” it, as they will maintain the worst overall record in the league, now that the Lions have finally obtained their second win of the season. The Jaguars do have a chance to win this one, however, because the Jets not only are beatable under normal circumstances, but they are not even at full strength, with their roster having been hit by Covid. So that gives Jax a real chance to pull off a rare win this weekend. My guess is that they would like to win, for that matter, regardless of whether or not that would knock them out of their current hold on the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, which would be the first time in a long time (that I can remember, anyway) when a team actually would get that first pick for two consecutive years running. Hard to believe that the Jags were competitive and almost reached the Super Bowl just four seasons ago, eh? This one could go either way. Neither team has been good enough this season to feel like a lock in this game. But since I have to make a pick, let me go with Gang Green, since they have home field advantage. My pick: NY Jets
NY Giants at Philadelphia - A few weeks ago, these two teams met, and the G-Men won their first important showdown within the NFC East in what feels like a long, long time. This time, the game hardly means much to them, since they have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Eagles, meanwhile, have been roaring, and are very much still in the hunt for the postseason. They also seem to be on an upward surge, having won two very important games since suffering that loss to Big Blue at the Meadowlands. Look for the Eagles to come out swinging, and they should be able to get the victory here in this one. My pick: Philadelphia
Buffalo at New England - This is a tough game to call. On the one hand, the Bills have been on a bit of a downward spiral that has dropped them from the ranks of the seeming elites in the league, to a team that still has some serious work to do just to reach the playoffs. And the Patriots were the hottest team in the league before losing to Indianapolis last week. They still have Bill Belichick as head coach, and they should be filled with confidence, having convincingly defeated the Bills on the road in Buffalo just a couple of weeks or so ago. But the Bills can turn it all around with a win here, and get an injection of confidence, one that might just remind them of how good they really should be at this point. So I believe that the Bills are overdue for a huge win, and in my upset special for this weekend, they will be my pick to win on the road here, handing the Patriots their second straight loss. My pick: Buffalo
LA Rams at Minnesota - Huge game here, with some serious playoff ramifications. The Rams have every incentive to win this game, especially since the Cardinals lost, because they can take a full game lead for the NFC West division title and control their own destiny from here on out. Meanwhile, the Vikings would be in the playoffs if the season ended today, but since it does not, they obviously need to win to keep that final playoff spot safely in their pocket. A loss here, combined with a win by either the Saints and/or Eagles, and the Vikings would once again be on the outside looking in, and in need of help to get into the playoffs. As for the Rams, they are almost assuredly in the playoffs, but a loss would once again compromise their standing in the NFC West, giving the Cardinals control again. The stakes could hardly be higher. Should be a really good game, and interesting to follow. My pick: LA Rams
Tampa Bay at Carolina - The Panthers feel like everyone's punching bag right at the moment. They have no hopes for the playoffs, and they keep encountering teams that absolutely need to win. Not the Tampa Bay will lose their playoff spot or division lead with a loss here, but they want to remain in the hunt for either the top seed in the NFC, or at least the number two spot. And let's face it: they are a much better team that Carolina is. Home field advantage or not, the Panthers will likely be a bit overwhelmed by a Bucs team that suffered a stinging loss to the Saints, which serves as a reminder to hurry up and get this thing done and win the division already without any further complications. My pick: Tampa Bay
Baltimore at Cincinnati - The last time that these two teams met, the Ravens were red hot, and then got completely dismantled by the Bengals. They recovered a bit and, just a few weeks ago, were still clinging to that top spot in the AFC playoff picture. Now, however, things have changed. The Ravens have lost three straight, and seem to be on a downward trend. They are tied with the Bengals for the top spot in the division race, but the winner of this game should emerge as the division winners, placing themselves in very strong position to take it. Cincy seems to really step it up a notch or two in these kinds of divisional showdowns this season, and they should be able to beat Baltimore here. My pick: Cincinnati
LA Chargers at Houston - Obviously, this game means everything to the Chargers, who need to keep winning to secure a berth in the playoffs. As for Houston, they have not really been in a very meaningful game in quite some time, because they simply are not good enough to be in any very meaningful games. True, they beat the Jaguars to complete the season sweep, but that is almost the only real accomplishment of sorts for this team this season, other than a stunning upset of the Titans. But the Chargers should be more ready than that. Really, there is no excuse for the Chargers today. The NFL scheduling gods have given them a gift, facing a weak Texans team at this critical point in the season. They should get the job done, and convincingly today. My pick: LA Chargers
Chicago at Seattle - While the Seahawks have not yet officially been eliminated from the playoff chase, it really is just a matter of time. They could win out the remainder of their games, and still would likely miss the playoffs. As for the Bears, they have been out for a week or so, and there is no mystery or serious intrigue in this game for them. On the road in Seattle against a fired up Seahawks team wanting to get a win, if only for pride, will be a tough game for Da Bears. Look for the 'Hawks to eat the Bears up on this holiday weekend. My pick: Seattle
Pittsburgh at Kansas City - A big showdown between two traditional playoff caliber teams. The Steelers really need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Chiefs want this win to finally secure their playoff berth, and to either finally clinch the division outright or, failing that, seriously strengthen their division title hopes. KC is currently the hottest team in the league with seven straight wins, and it is a question mark whether the Steelers can go into Arrowhead and slow them down, or get the best of the Chiefs defense, which has played well as of late. My suspicion is that the Chiefs stay hot here. My pick: Kansas City
Denver at Las Vegas - Two division rivals who have both been very inconsistent this season. The Broncos just lost to the Bengals at Mile High, while the Raiders finally snapped a losing streak and handed the Browns a stunning loss in frigid Cleveland. If the Raiders get hot from that, they should be able to take this game against the inconsistent Broncos, even though the Silver and Black have hardly been a model of consistency themselves this season. This feels almost like a playoff game, as the winner improves their playoff chances, and perhaps will find themselves holding one of those playoff spots after this week's scenarios unfold. The loser is likely realistically done. Huge divisional showdown here in this one. Raiders beat the Broncos in the first meeting, and I expect them to do it again in the dome home stadium in the desert today. My pick: Las Vegas
SNF: Washington at Dallas - The Cowboys are one of only two teams (the Packers being the other one) who have already clinched a playoff spot. They now renew their storied rivalry with Washington, a team that looked like one of the hottest and most dangerous team just a couple of weeks ago, but who are much more weakened and still not at full strength. The 'Boys just want to win this one to keep their hopes for home field throughout alive, and to finally officially win the division and put that under their belt already. Look for the Cowboys to take an early lead and keep the pressure on, ultimately cruising to victory. My pick: Dallas
MNF: Miami at New Orleans - Two 7-7 teams meet with a lot at stake for both teams. This might not realistically be a playoff game, but there is so much riding on this one game, that it very well may as well be one. The loser likely will hurt their chances too much to remain as playoff hopefuls. The winner, on the other hand, will be in strong position to continue their quest. For the Saints, a win here might actually catapult them into that final spot, because the Vikings could very well lose to the Rams. Also, New Orleans is hot, with two straight wins, including a very big one at Tampa Bay, coming off a shut out win there. As for the Fins, they have won six straight, but it feels like maybe they can run out of gas at any moment. But since both teams are hot, that means that they are both dangerous. I could see Miami pulling it off here, and handing the Saints a stunning, truly crushing loss. However, the surging Saints do have home field advantage, and are closer to reaching the playoffs than the Dolphins are, all of which should help them get past Miami. My pick: New Orleans
No comments:
Post a Comment